001Good evening. Since 6 PM, the board of education has been in close session to discuss the following. Uh discussion of minutes lawfully closed under the open meetings act, whether for purposes of school board approval of the minutes or semiannual review of the minutes as mandated by the act. the appointment, employment, compensation, discipline, performance, or dismissal of specific employees or legal counsel, including hearing testimony on a complaint lodged against an employee or legal counsel to determine its validity. collective negotiating matters between the school board and its employees or their representatives or deliberations concerning salary schedules for one or more classes of employees and the purchase or lease of real property for the use of the school board including meetings held for the purpose of discussing whether a particular partial should be acquired. I will entertain a
002motion to come out of closed. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Motion has been moved and seconded. Please call the role. Miss Fner. >> Roll call. Charles Kush. >> Oh, wrong one. Oh, sorry. Oh, from here. Sorry. Oh, please bear with me. >> You're doing great. It's okay. >> Kush >> present. Or I >> Kelly Black. >> I Blastic. I >> Winsky. I >> Kazmky >> I >> McMillan >> I >> Gerki Geri >> the mot the motion passes we are in open session. Good evening and welcome to the July 14th 2025 Neighborville 203 Board of Education meeting. Our mission is to empower students to develop a learner's mindset, demonstrate adaptability, communicate effectively, think critically, and become global citizens. Um please call the role. Miss Fner, >> Charles Kush, Christine Gerki, Melissa Kelly Black, Joe
003Kasminsky, Amanda McMillan, Holly Blastic, Mark Winsky. >> Please join the board in reciting the pledge of allegiance. Item 4.01, good news. Okay. Um, summer learning delivered six exciting weeks of growth, discovery, and fun. Students all levels students at all levels deepened skills, explored new interests, build friendships, and connected with caring staff through academic enrichment, hands-on projects, and special events. A new partnership gave high school intro to teaching students valuable classroom experiences while long-standing partners Neighborville Park District Champions Alive Center Golden Apple Scholars in the Neighborville Public Library continued to enrich learning and provide vital resources. Elementary students sharpened their reading and math skills with engaging activities. They also wowed families and principles by performing a Yankee Doodle Hits the Road and Its the Pits as part of their read, Write, and Run program. Junior high
004students dove into hands-on exploratory classes, visiting airports, building tiny houses and bridges, creating and marketing lemonade stands, competing in cupcake wars, debating global issues, and designing their own board games. They even welcomed the Larry the Llama, a new mascot made possible by an NEF grant. High school students stayed busy earning credits through a wide range of in-person and online courses, getting ahead on graduation requirements. Many also took driver's ed and hit the road for the first time this summer. And science camp offered four weeks of exciting exploration where students launched rockets, journeyed to Mars, and back through creative STEM activities and enjoyed a thrilling live demonstration by Mr. Freeze in partnership with Firmeny Lab. Summer music wrapped up with impressive student concerts at the Lincoln Junior Highlighting weeks of hard work, practice, and musical growth.
005Our students made memories, built skills, and connected with peers and the community. Truly a summer well spent. And if I'm not mistaken, tomorrow's the official last day of summer school with our high school students who complete their finals. So, another great year of summer learning district 203. >> Thank you. We have now reached the point in our agenda for a public comment. The board of education welcomes comments from the public at its meetings. Citizens who wish to address the board of education should identify themselves by name. Comments by individual shall be limited to three minutes. If an individual is representing multiple individuals or a group, they shall be allowed to speak for five minutes. The board respectfully requests that speakers refrain from commenting about specific individuals by name. At this point, I would like to
006welcome Jason Copeland and Jason will be followed by Rakita Ruparo. Good evening and welcome. >> Good evening. Jason Copeland. I'm the parent of two district 203 students. In the past four weeks since we last met, major steps have been taken on one of the most important civil rights issues of our time preserving female sports and exclusive spaces. Yet, District 203 has continued to do nothing. The California Department of Education and the California Interscolastic Federation refused to settle civil rights violations with the US Department of Education and are now being sued by the US Department of Justice. California is prepared to spend hundreds of thousands, maybe millions in legal fees and risk billions in federal funding because they believe males should be allowed to compete in female sports and use female locker rooms. Say that out
007loud a couple times and let that sink in. Also, the US Supreme Court agreed to hear two cases on whether states can preserve female sports for females. Again, think of being on the side that argues states shouldn't be allowed to do that and needing the Supreme Court to settle something that should have already been handled. In Oregon, three high school females filed a federal lawsuit against the state in two districts for allowing males to compete in female sports divisions. District 203 may very well find itself in that same position very soon. And what are these Oregon districts saying? We're just following state law. Sound familiar? That's essentially the only response this board has offered. You're going with the just carrying out the lawful commands of superiors defense. And we've heard that before. But there's a
008better way forward as demonstrated by the University of Pennsylvania. They settled with the US Department of Education's Office for Civil Rights, avoiding major legal expenses and the potential loss of hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding. As part of the agreement, they apologized to all female athletes they impacted, restored their individual records and titles, and committed to comply with Title 9 and adopt biology-based definitions for the words male and female. Now, that's how you write a wrong. But it appears District 203 through your inaction is willing to potentially spend hundreds of thousands of dollars in legal fees and gamble $9 million in federal funding to defend the indefensible. Your inaction may also contribute to costing the state over 3.5 billion with a B dollars in federal funding. I urge this board to act now.
009Adopt clear policies that preserve sports and spaces exclusively for females and males before it's forced upon you by courts, lawsuits, or financial disaster. Thank Ruparell. I apologize if I didn't pronounce your name correctly. That is fine. Good evening. My name is Rakita Ruparrell and I'm an incoming senior at Neapville North High School. I'm a member of District 203's carbon action plan steering committee and an intern with Accelerate Climate Solutions where I help engage youth in efforts to address the climate crisis. Now, before I get started, I'd like to invite you to the panel discussion by local students called Planet Earth's Future. That's occurring on Monday, July 21st at Neapville Municipal Center from 6:30 to 8. You'll get to hear about local stories from youth and the difference they are making in the world today. Now,
010Neapville is at a critical decision point. The city's current contract with the Illinois Municipal Electric Agency, IMEA, which provides much of our electricity from coal, expires in 2035. On August 19th, the city council will likely vote on whether to renew it through 2055. If approved, neighbor will be tied to coal energy for another 30 years. While the average Illinois electricity customer gets about 12.8% 8% of its power from coal. The electricity IMEA provides to Neapville is between 70 and 80% coal based according to energy information administration. Extending this contract would make it nearly impossible to meet the carbon action plan's goals of reducing emissions by 35% by 2035 and reaching net zero by 2050. These schools were helped created by students and staff and they worked really hard to um create this and because of
011this effort we've become leaders in change. IMSA recently passed its own climate policy inspired by our work. District 204 is also beginning steps towards sustainability. It's in it's encouraging to know we are driving this conversation forward as a district. That is why I respect respectfully request that the board consider adopting a resolution stating that renewing the IMEA contract would make it difficult for the district to meet it its climate goals and that district 203 supports the city in setting its own decarbonization targets and selecting an energy provider that aligns with them. Your voice would directly influence a decision that would shape Neighborville's future, including the future of your students. As a district that has shown strong leadership in climate change, um this is a chance to continue leading by example. Please stand with us for
012a future powered by clean energy and not coal. Thank you for your time and consideration. >> Okay. Thank you. Uh I do not have any more public comment requests. So um this will conclude our public comment period. As a reminder, because of the questions raised in public comment addressed district operational matters, the board has designated our superintendent as a spokesperson for the district and and as our designate to respond to public comment and he will apprise the board accordingly. Again, this will conclude our public comment period. All right. Item number six, monthly reports. Loaded for your review are a number of monthly reports. Any questions from the board on any of those? >> Mark? >> Yeah. One question I have is on the insurance report. Um, we've talked about the clinic and making an investment
013in the clinic and I'm just curious to see when do we expect any funds to be dispersed on that and how will those be reported um in the insurance report? Yeah, we're still working on the details of that, but I believe it's going to be a separate line. It's it's definitely a separate line on our internal reports. If uh the board wants it to be a separate line on the on the fees, it would be in like the third section of expenses. Um and it's really it's only going to be the monthly the monthly um contract fee we have with Marathon Health that will add up on a monthly basis. And are we also including in that the investments we need to make in the facilities as well? >> That's over and above the fee
014we pay. >> Yeah, there's very little in investments. We did some painting uh recently. Uh we had to buy some paint, but we did that internally with our own staff. Um, and there's really no other there's very little buildout of that property, but that's all incorporated into the lease, which will be part of the monthly uh invoice we get from Marathon. >> Thank you. >> Thanks. >> Okay, other questions. Okay, item seven, action by consent 7.01, bills and claims. >> I reviewed uh bills and claims this month with Michelle Swopee, and as always, she was very helpful. Um with that. >> Oh okay. Two, three, four. >> Okay. So, I'm doing sorry one. Okay. Okay. So, um I make a mo I will make a motion to approve warrant number one69010 through 1070228 and warrant
015number 9 0 0122 totaling 31,324,627. 7 cents for the period of June 17, 2025 to July 14th, 2025 along with 7.07 the LUDA annual dues for 2526, 708 the lend annual dues for 2526 and 7.09 the DAO oees appointment. >> Second motion and second have been heard. Please call the role, Miss Bner. Blastic. >> I >> Winski. >> I >> Kelly Black. >> I Kaznitzky. >> I >> McMillan. >> I >> Gerki. >> I >> Kush. >> I Sorry, the mot the motion passes. Uh, okay. So, item 7.0 2. >> That was personnel report. >> Yes. And just as a reminder, we don't discuss individual personnel. >> We don't. Um, okay. I just wanted to reiterate and ask I believe I sent it ahead in my board questions. Um I I noticed that we left
016we lost some good people um to some other districts and I know that this has been a reoccurring issue. We've I know since my time on the board here, we've lost a lot of our blue ribbon principles, vice principles, cabinet members. Not to say anything's wrong. It's a variety of reasons. But I do see more and more of our administrators um leaving some of our brightest and best. Um so I guess I wanna I've brought it up before asking maybe as a board if we could have a discussion again on strategies to try to really what we can do to increase that retention. Um if we could put that as a board agenda item for upcoming um board meeting if others feel that's something you want to talk about. Do you share those concerns? >>
017Uh fellow board members. >> Um >> care to comment. >> I think retention uh planning and uh sustainability planning or not sustainability uh succession planning yes are very important topics um especially at our leadership level. So, um maybe even also just talking a little bit more how we grow our own into leadership roles and you know just uh assuring that I I'd be open to that conversation. >> Okay. Others care to comment? >> Yeah, I I think it's a good idea to talk about retention. So, I would uh be uh be up for that as well. Um, I I will also um point out um I have noticed that that there have been some some really talented individuals and that that that kind of goes with um unfortunately it's come sometimes part of the territory.
018I mean we're a we're we're a very high performing district and um I think part of it is uh I I do think we should look into it and have a conversation. So Dan, if you can put that on an agenda item for future unless there's any objections to having an agenda item. Did you want to comment? Okay. Okay. Um but um I I know that in a couple of instances it's really people are poaching our people. That's because we have really really great people and we grow great people here. It's part of the reason. Um but I do think that we should have that as an agenda item to talk about um strategies to help even retain even through that. Christine, >> I don't have it in front of me right now, but I
019believe in our board agreements, it states that if a board member wants to have something added to the agenda that the board member also needs to provide a written rationale. And I think that might be important because this could be a really broad topic. So I think if we have if leadership receives a a written rationale that'll help us focus the conversation as opposed to having if it would feel a little it I think this could be very open-ended and then I think also adhering to our board agreements well and we have them there for a reason. So, I think um I think that would be an important first step for us and then we can figure out how not that we're going to drive the conversation a certain way, but I think it's fair
020to keep it to understand the scope of what this conversation plus what we want um administration to do for us um to to lead up to that discussion. >> Okay. Um, so sounds like we're good with having the topic on an agenda item. Uh, Melissa, would you be so kind as to provide just a couple of bullet points as to your thoughts and rationale and just provide that directly to >> Superintendent Bridges, please? Thank you. >> Yeah, >> I'm sorry. I didn't mean to talk out of term, but that's I was going to offer if you wanted to work together, we can work together on that. >> Sounds good. Okay, other questions on that item? If not, I'll entertain a motion. Motion to approve item 7.02 board. I'm sorry. U adoption of personnel report. >>
021Second. >> A motion and a second have been heard. Please call the role. Mrs. Fner. >> Kush. >> I. >> McMillan. >> I. >> Kelly Black. >> I. >> Blastic. >> I. >> Kosinsky. >> I. >> Gerky. >> I Winsky. >> I. >> The motion passes. Okay. Item 7.03. Uh, I'll just let I don't know if everyone knows I didn't know this before I was board meeting. I will be abstaining but only because I was not present at the meeting. Therefore, I can't verify the minutes. >> Is that the same reason for 7.05? >> Correct. >> So, should could we take those together as one motion? >> Okay. >> Motion to approve item 7.03 and 7.05 5 open and close meeting minutes for 6:16 2025. >> Second. >> A motion and a second have been
022heard. Please call the role. Mrs. Fner. >> Kusminsky. >> I. >> Kush. >> I. >> Winsky. >> I. >> McMillan. >> I. >> Blastic. >> I. >> Gerki. >> I. >> The motion passes. >> Kelly Black. Abstain. >> I'm sorry. >> Sorry. The motion passes. All right. Uh 7.0. 04. >> Uh yeah. Um that meeting was somewhat unusual. We had our board evaluation and then we had a a quick meeting afterwards. Uh and for the minutes, I know that when we went over it, it was a lot at once. I was wondering if one um could we attach in the agenda or in the minutes somehow Dan had passed out a list. T read a list of items. Um, yeah, if you could add that to board docs. Um, that way >> the notes that
023were used during the open part. >> Correct. Yes. Because that way we have access. And then also to be honest, I think at the day you and I were speaking fast so everyone might not have caught it. So that would be nice. >> That's it. >> Okay. Other questions or comments on that one? >> Sounds good. Okay. Um, so again, does that cover 04 and 06? >> Um, we can we can do those together. Um, >> it's just one is closed, one's open, same date. >> That is the open one. I I can that's the one I just said more detail and to be honest we can add the other closed door um one of the things I noticed I think it came up without saying any of the relevance in our closed door meeting
024today that when one of us unfortunately isn't able to be there that we really do rely on these closed door minutes notes we can't there is a recording that's made of all the meetings including the closed door that we could go back and listen to but to make it easier I just want to renew My request, could our closed door minutes be a little more detailed? Even if that means this anything that may be delicate, the rules say that we keep it until it's no longer pass falls under the FOYA or the Open Meetings Act rules. But if there could be something a little more detailed, so if a board member isn't there, they have those minutes. And if say for continuity we talked about when new board members come on they can look back
025at previous board meetings and really maybe understand more of the discussion. So is that something we could work on providing a little more information in the closed dooror minutes so that we for example we did the uh self-evaluation I won't say what went on but I would say I I was very positive about our team experience. So I think we came to a lot of consensus, made some agreements. So if it's more detailed for all of us to have that um would be helpful um to have maybe a more detailed notes and that way we're all on the same page of kind of maybe what we talked about since it was such a positive experience. >> Okay. Um Dan, you have any comments on that? Again, u as you said, minutes for the close session
026are not intended to be verbatim, and they're not verbatim. We do keep a verbatim record on do the best that I can to participate and and take note. I'll work with leadership on ensuring that we try to cover the top points or as a follow-up or something to make sure that anything that's relevant to a board member that misses, we'll be able to get that. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> All right. So, with that, I'll entertain a motion. >> Motion to approve items 7.04 and 7.06, 6 open and close meeting minutes for 62525. >> Second. >> Motion and second have been heard. Please call the role. Mrs. Vner >> Winsky >> I. >> Gerki. >> I. >> Blastic. >> I. >> McMillan. >> I. >> Kush. >> I. >> Kosinsky. >> I. >> Kelly
027Black. >> I. >> The motion passes. Item eight. Uh, item 8.01 written communications. Um, I believe there's some foyer requests loaded in there. >> I had something about the uh written communications. >> Um, I'm going to I have to say this makes me uncomfortable, but I have a statement to read. Um, if you notice there is a foyer that says it's submitted by me. I did not submit a FOYA. So, um, and this I'm going to address my fellow board members in regards to this. >> Before you dive into your comments, you did email saying that you wanted it and it was expressed to you that it would be treated as a foyer request. So, therefore, you >> not we can go back with documentation. >> Fine. >> Okay. So, I would like to state
028my statement without interruption if that's all right. >> I didn't interrupt you while you were talking. I didn't tell you. You hadn't started yet. So, go ahead. Um, I'm speaking today to raise concerns about the recent actions taken by the board president Charles Kush and Superintendent Dan Bridges that merit closer examination to ensure that we are operating in full alignment with our policies, our shared governance responsibilities, and the expectations of our community. I recently learned that a Freedom of Information Act request was submitted in my name and entered into the public record without my consent. To my understanding, this has not been done to any other board member, and I am concerned about the precedence this sets. As a board, we must be consistent and fair in how we handle internal communications and public records,
029and I believe the situation deserves clarification. In addition, I understand that Mr. Bridges filed a personal criminal complaint in which district legal counsel was involved. As fiduciaries of the public trust, it is essential that we maintain clear boundaries between personal matters and official district business. Per neighbor Neighborville 203 board policy 22 240, legal council represents the board as a collective body, not an not individual administrators or board members acting independently. Similarly, under the Illinois school code, the board operates as a unit. No single officer may act on behalf of the full board without proper authorization. Moreover, the potential use of taxpayer funded legal services for personal matters raises serious concerns about the appropriate stewardship of public resources. our community and trusts that us with the responsibility of using district funds and we must ensure that
030every expenditure especially for legal counsel is aligned with the board approved purposes and complies with our e ethical obligations. While I understand there may be differing perspectives on this matter, it is precisely because of those differences that I believe an independent third-party review should be would be in the best interest of the district. This would help clarify the circ circumstances around the submission of the foyer request using my name. Determine what legal resources were allocated in accordance with board policies, district procedures, and applicable state laws. Ensure that all board members are treated equitably and have a voice without fear of retaliation. Access whether there is are any systematic governance concerns that may require corrective action. This request is not an accusation or adversarial gesture. Rather, it is a constructive step towards reaffirming our shared values
031of transparency, collaboration, and ethical lead leadership. I am confident that such a review will strengthen our collective work, restore public confidence, and provide a clear path forward for addressing any misunderstandings or procedural gaps. I remain committed to working with each of you in good faith and with mutual respect. Let us set an example for our students and community by demonstrating how strong governance includes accountability, fairness, and open dialogue. Would anyone like to >> I just want you are you done? I would like to add that I within operating as a public official, an elected official, unpaid elected official, I think that it is in it looks very much like intimidation to have police officers coming to my house, especially a day before the self-evaluation. if that was not intended to be that way. I I
032do there's something wrong when elected official giving back to their community has to endure that. I was afraid my son had been in an accident or something. This just isn't good governance in my opinion. I think an outside evaluation would correct it and then we could all stop arguing and work together. >> Okay. A couple things that I need to just uh clarify and correct. Um there was no personal claim against you by the superintendent. There is no there is none that that is that is that is a complete falsehood. That the notion that it was a that is a personal thing for sup by superintendent bridges is false. >> Who who did the board? >> I'm sorry I did not interrupt you while you were talking. The report was a direct followup to a
033statement that you made in that chair in a meeting on was it September 2nd? June sorry June 2nd the 2nd um where you said something um about an action that you said that you had taken and that was a follow-up directly from that. And in that meeting, immediately after you made that statement, Superintendent Bridges said that he was going to follow up on that and that is what happened. So there was no behind the scenes, there was no it was stated very openly that that is what would be occurring. And no, we're not going to this is not an agenda item. We are we're not going to continue to have this conversation. There is a there is a third party there is a third party. >> You're silencing. >> I did not. You spoke for
034I don't know how long, but we can see how long you took. I did not interrupt you while you're speaking. >> It's not bad, but it's a give and take, Charles. And I am and I >> you cannot act unilaterally as a president. >> I'm not acting unilaterally. I am speaking and you're interrupting me while I am speaking and I extended a different courtesy to you. >> So you can sit there and interrupt me while I'm talking while claiming to be when you weren't. I'm correcting something that you said that was inaccurate. I provided a reason and a rationale for why what was done was done based on a statement that you made. May I resp it was a private and again if there's an argument these are laws. I'm referring to laws. So if
035there is an argument about the letter had to have been a private the only way the charge is a charge a criminal charge is if it's a private conversation. So, we'll put that aside. The other issue is Mr. Bridges, to my knowledge, is not allowed to just use the funds. >> This is not an opportunity for you to testify as to what may or may not have happened. As you pointed out, there is there was something that was filed. It is being looked into and there will be a dec determination made as to whether or not what's going to be filed up. We do not have to have the opportunity, nor am I going to waste the community's time debating the merits of what will or not happen. There is a third party already investigating
036this and they will handle it. It's as simple as that. So, we're not wasting any more of the community's time talking about something that is going to be determined and decided by an independent third party. >> Can I just ask what the independent third party? Because there is no investigation. There was no grounds for the charge. So our I'm talking about our board policies, the board rules and how this came about without the authorization of the full board. An investigation is underway. The outcome of that investigation will happen. Whatever that is, we will all abide and live by it. So there's no point for us discussing that because someone else will make that determination. >> Who who is this someone else? We to law enforcement is being it is being investigated. So whether or not
037so if they if they decide to close the matter, they'll close the matter. If they leave the matter open, >> what about the matter of seeing if our funds were used and if that was within the legal and the ethical and our policies? Who's going to review us? Where's our account accountability to the community? >> Oh, it it worries me when they won't even look at them. If you won't look at yourself and you're not willing to be put under that, this is not if we do a third party, it just shows we're ethical. But I am tired of just some people unilaterally. We're not to act like that. We can't act without it has to be all of us. I I I don't know if this is the appropriate moment in time, but as
038far as for me as an individual, I believe as an individual just in the community, but even more so if I'm sitting in a position such as the one I'm sitting in now, if I believe a law had been broken, it is my responsibility to report it to the appropriate authorities. And in in the incident that we're discussing, I heard an admission of what I reasonably thought was breaking a law, the admission of of a law being broken. So, I don't believe, and there may be people who can speak to this who have a a different profession than I do, I I don't believe the board needed to have a discussion about if it was appropriate or not to report a potential um law being broken. I I I I wouldn't go around doing a
039um poll as if I as if should I do this or not. I would use my own conscious to do that. So I I think that the the conversation here I agree with Mr. Kush is not appropriate, but I also believe it's important for the community to understand that we do take our duties respon our our responsibilities very seriously. And that to me was common sense to report that we felt a law was broken. And that that I I I know my colleague has her hand up right now, but I don't know what other conversation or followup there could possibly be to that. And if that rule or that law was broken on district property, I I feel like we that our superintendent did act appropriately. That's my two cents on this one and it's
040not going to change. >> I'm I'm saying the procedure, you might feel that way, but the part of being a board is that we each get a voice. Is that uh the president char he has no more authority. You cannot work as one. And we've had conversations about one voice of one. If the board thought that, it was entitled to be a board decision. And you're right. If somebody really thought that they reported it, yes, he reported. But there's a difference, and this is maybe what we're getting to, is there's a difference between what we think as as lay people and what the laws and rules are as to how does what's there are procedures for doing this legal that we can't just decide we should vote as a board. And if everyone votes it,
041I definitely would say bring it too. The problem is there has to be a system where you have to make an in I'm not informed to make that decision. And before I would send the police to Mr. Bridg's house, your house, administrator's house, a parents house, I would make sure that I had just cause and had crossed the rest of the board. >> I like to call point of order. >> Yes. Thank you. Um point of order upheld. I think that's the right terminology. Is that correct? Yes. Okay. So, we are moving on. Item 8.02, Board of Education reports. Does anyone on the board have a report to give relative to their responsibilities as a board member? Okay. Item 8.03, president's report. Um, I just wanted to make a comment around the board self-evaluation. So,
042uh, as has been brought out, we had a short open session meeting, but, um, just wanted to again extend a thank you to Dr. Arana Bernard, who is our IASB, um, representative, who did a wonderful job facilitating a great, um, board self-evaluation session. Uh, and, um, as part of the ongoing dialogue, we are going to, as a board be following up on some of the things that we discussed during that meeting. Um uh just to my fellow board members, you will be hearing uh from me. Arlana is providing us some with additional dates for the month of October. So you'll get a communication around that um and we'll have a follow-up uh session. But just wanted to make sure that you were all aware to look out for that communication. All right. Item 8.04, superintendent
043staff school reports. No report. All right. Item nine, discussion without action. Item 9.01, 1 policy 420 update. >> Okay. By board of education policy, it is my duty to update the board on policy 420. Uh I will make the majority of comments here. I'll invite our chief financial officer Mike Francis, assistant superintendent for leadership of school services, Chuck Freight, and as needed Melanie Brown, uh maybe Cindy Leornne, uh to chime in here as needed, uh especially if I miss any points. Um but uh the last update we gave the board uh on policy 420 was on May 6th of 2024. At that time the board approved uh an addition at Ranch View as well as improvements in an addition at Neighborville North High School. And so tonight, our uh outcomes will be to review policy
044420, its purpose um and how it works, and then to make a recommendation to the board for consideration on August 4th in uh regard to some use of uh funds covered by policy 420. And so policy 420 really speaks to uh the district's fund balance uh which is its reserves reserved funds. in reserve fund uh balance is acred really by intentional actions by the board of education in regard to its budget and its use of u expenditures uh with that budget. Uh having uh adequate fund balance is a very prudent fiscal policy uh and actually uh is only qualifies districts for the highest financial profile in regard to the the balance that they do carry. So it is important that we do have one. Some refer to it maybe as like a rainy day fund.
045Uh why is the fund balance uh what is the fund balance? Why is important? Well, it helps us really stabilize uh our work and our educational performance year-over-year and to minimize any disruptions that we may have uh to operational services. Um address emergency situations, you know, uh as as much as we try to prepare uh for the business of the district at times are emergencies uh that are unplanned. It also allows us to really look at projects that require u more funds than typical in our typical budget to be able to um address those. Um so it really helps us I think primarily unforeseen expenditure demands and times when we have revenue shortfall. Policy 420 was last updated by the board in April of 2022. Some parts of that that I think are relevant to
046our discussion this evening is that first of all uh we want a a fund balance uh adequate enough to ensure that our uh ability to maintain the level of service that we have and to pay its oblig obligations and our fund balance range established by policy is 10 to 20% of the annual aggregated expenses and if at a time uh our fund balance exceeds that range the administration shall present recommendations to the board for its consideration and by policy then that's what I'm doing this evening is to advise you uh that we are above uh the fund balance range established by policy and to come with you uh with the recommendation for uh bringing that closer to in line to the policy. We typically look at three different categories. Uh category one we would call
047taxpayer relief opportunities uh for one-time investments to reduce the burden on our taxpayers. Category two any capital projects. These would be nonrecurring and I think that's a very important non-recurring. These are not ongoing things. Capital expenses that cannot otherwise be completed within the district's typical annual budget. We typically do that when we have additions or significant construction. Again, these would not be things that carry an ongo ongoing costs. These are a one-time cost. Uh also then any new initiatives to get off the ground almost like a like a seed money things that are uh non-recurring expenses and investment in a new initiative. Uh the board has a history uh of uh focusing on taxpayer relief looking back to 2017 through action by the board of education through uh early payment of bonds, debt service abatement,
048uh other abatements as well as a tax uh reimbursement to property tax owners uh and uh refund to families on general fees has saved uh taxpayers nearly $37 million. So, we've identified a project within category 2 uh that is um of significant urgency for us. Uh I've given the board of education updates on this periodically in terms of uh what what we are facing uh in our transportation facility. The board of education has approved a lease of office space across Fifth Avenue uh to temporarily accommodate uh our office staff for transportation, but the uh the trailer uh that houses our transportation department has extended beyond really its life. Uh it needs to be replaced. Um so what we're proposing is to use funds to replace the current facility with new construction uh which will allow
049us to really maintain the central location in the district for our district transportation. The most importantly more importantly is to ensure that proper workspace for our drivers, our office staff and mechanics uh is constructed to create increase safety and security as well as the working conditions for uh our staff that work there. uh increase in the number of restrooms available uh wrapping it into our carbon action plan uh and and tying to some of the electrical charging stations are already in process with an estimated initial cost between 14.8 million and 17.4 million. Uh long-term costs really on projects like this are minimized by keeping them at Fifth Avenue. uh moving them to maybe a site on the extremes of our district which would really about only place you might be able to find something uh
050would really add to costs as well as the length of routes uh for our drivers. But when we look at with the board uh has charged the administration with working with staff to focus on morale. The number one issue identified by our transportation staff is that current facility. Uh and as you know, we've had to shut that facility down uh and find a temporary space for them, but it is not a long-term solution. We don't believe any sort of band-aid solutions on the uh beyond their lifetime u trailers are are a a wise investment. Uh so you take a quick look at our current facility uh is it is currently housing mobile as I've said that they've extended beyond their anticipated life span. uh there's no opportunity for uh learning in these facilities or opportunities
051for drivers to collaborate. To collaborate uh sends uh really kind of a poor message we think to our staff out there on how we value them and we don't want that to be reflective of what we think of them. Uh our drivers have also told us that professional learning is very critical for them uh because it does impact the student experience on the buses. Uh let's be honest, for many of our kids, our drivers are the very first ones to greet them in the morning. the very last ones to say have a great afternoon when we drop them off. We don't have the opportunities uh to consistently do that for them due to the facility constraints. One of the things that is most concerning there is restroom access which has been an ongoing challenge. Uh
052facilities of this group uh for this group are not up to our own standards. The only sink that you can actually use to like wash dishes or clean a coffee cup or something like that is found in the restroom. uh in order to get power throughout the facility uh there are electrical cores that run throughout the entire mobile. So our recommendation really uh is to uh uh this is just a conceptual plan that does extend the footprint of a little bit. I'm going to ask Mr. Frank maybe if you want to talk a little bit about the proposed kind of concept plan that we have there and then I'll bring you back to our final recommend our formal recommendation that we'd be looking for action on uh August 4. >> Sure. what you see illustrated
053um on the screen and in board docks there on the slide um would be to uh pull together our uh mechanics garage which is kind of in that shaded area on the sort of right hand side of the screen uh with our transportation office area. Um conceptually that it may not necessarily land where it's where it's diagrammed but conceptually we're showing that approximately where the current trailer space is. Um, and so we're not we're not adding a whole lot of space. We're just really pulling that together for efficiency sake. Um, we already do, as Mr. Bridges mentioned, have site work going on with our Neapville North project uh to save some money in that process. We've been in our carbon action planning. Uh, also adding electrification to that site uh for our electric buses that
054we currently have as well as the projected buses that we'll be uh procuring in the future. Um, so this diagram actually shows a little bit greater uh footprint than what currently exists. As you can see kind of in the upper right as well as on the right hand side, this goes a little farther north and a little farther east uh than the current um sort of footprint that's there. U as we're expanding for that site work uh which will allow us to bring our buses together. Um many of our buses are also parked sort of off of this immediate site across the street near our connections program. Um and that presents some safety issues and and some uh mechanical issues and such. So having those buses um AC basically across Fifth Avenue in the diagram
055that you see create some efficiencies for us as well. Um and then um we're able to add some parking into um what is currently kind of a practice field that Neighborville North uses which is west of the current parking lot at transportation but in this diagram is shown with additional parking. Um we need lots of parking. We have we are lucky to have um a full staff of drivers um and our mechanics and our office staff. Um but we need to make sure that they can park their own vehicles on site as well as the buses as well. Um so this is just concept uh with authorization at the next um board meeting in August. Uh we would certainly move to design uh where we would u be able to explore this a little bit
056further and make sure that uh we're placing everything where it needs to go strategically um and we're being fiscally responsible with the dollars that the board authorizes. Um, happy to take any questions that might specifically be there about, again, this is just concept. It's not far enough along to have all the details to it, but I think a pretty good image of what it could look like. >> Yeah. And just to make sure that we're clear, uh, at the August 4th meeting, we'd be asking the board to approve, uh, the removal of the current trailer building at the transportation facility. uh and then to approve uh administration's ability to move forward with the development of a new transportation facility at Fifth Avenue. So, I'm be happy to take questions. >> Questions from the board. Joe,
057>> yeah, thank you for your uh work in and putting this together. Um I know this is something that's been uh needed for quite some time. It it's been brought up u uh you kind of repeatedly. Um, one thing that uh uh I came to um came to mind during the presentation was uh that space that's currently being used across uh Fifth Avenue um by consolidating all of the buses. What do you see uh happening with that space? >> Well, it provides an opportunity for us certainly. Um that space is pretty raw. Um but that is something we would look at. Um if we're able to pull the buses back across the street potentially that's additional space for us that could be anything from storage area which it sort of doubles as right now we
058have some containers on that site that we rent and own for additional storage in the district um to any other type of you know potentially uh long-term facility if we wish to. What's tricky is of course that's adjacent to our connection school and so we have parking there uh that's already um not maximized but but we have quite a bit of staff and and in addition to our our um uh resource center that's over there. So we'd have to be careful if that was any facility that would require parking. Um that doesn't you know we're not quite maxed out but we're close to it. >> And my understanding, Mr. Fre is that uh uh the west side of that portion actually. Isn't there like a utility or public access easement or something as a part
059of that that may restrict and limit our use of that for anything beyond kind of what we're using it for now or storage or something like that? >> That's correct. >> Yeah. And I think if we think about storage in terms of improving the site aesthetics or whatnot, it allows us to do some things like fencing or something that we can't do now because we have buses coming in out of that area. And >> thanks. I think this is an exciting opportunity. Amanda, >> could you please go back to slide 10 on that? The diagram of the plan. I just want to make sure I understand what I'm looking at. There you go. Thank you so much. Okay. So, um, in the plan then is the part outside of the orange. Is that what we
060currently have? >> The orange >> or is the orange the new stuff? >> Yeah. >> Well, it's it's a little bit of both. The orange is actually showing kind of a fenced in area that we would have potentially to sort of secure where our buses are parked. Okay. So, where are we currently? Can you just show me like >> Okay. What we currently have? Okay. >> Yep. >> Okay. So, the new one would be over to the left, right? The transportation that that's 10,000 square foot. >> Maybe >> that's what we're proposing is to build that new facility over there. And then in the orange, that would all be like bus parking and stuff, right? >> Yes, that's accurate. >> Okay. And um and then so the black area is where we'd have cars and
061stuff, right? So that way I'm just trying to I'm such a visual person so that I appreciate this graph. Um because I know that we've made a lot of investments right now for electric buses, for electric charging stations and stuff like that. So this proposal, you wouldn't have to move those, right? that we would be building around where they're already existing and adding more bus parking space and pushing further west. >> That's 100% correct. Okay. >> We're working with the plans that we already have in place and in process to add electrical um Yep. So up there, we would be have more capacity to add more electrical charging stations in the future if we choose to get more of an electric fleet, which adds to our carbon action plan, right? >> That's right. >> Okay,
062great. That's fantastic. I just want to make sure we weren't like, oh, we already just did this thing and now we have to move them, right? You know, because that's a huge that was a huge investment right there. Um, thank you. My second question, and I'm sorry I didn't send these ahead in advance. Um, it just kind of came out of this, but you said that we're currently over our 10 to 20%. Um, rate and you gave us a dollar amount of about 13 to 17,000 for this proposal to make that right. Million, sorry. >> Yeah. Right. Yeah. Of course. Um, how much are we over? Like what is the dollar amount that we're actually over? And so that's what I'm wondering. Yeah, we're still working on final fund balance. Fund balance is uh is
063determined in June 30th each year after the audit is done. We're still acrewing things because we just finished the fiscal year. So, I don't know the exact figure. Um but I anticipate it to be around 25 million. >> Okay. >> Um and that's about 28%. if you're looking at it from a percentage basis, 10 to 20 or maybe about 28, but that might change a percent or two based on final results. >> Is it possible? And so I'm open up to the board um by the next board meeting before we make that decision if we have some more actual numbers around that, you know, like what where we currently I mean, if if it's possible because I know you're closing things out and it's a moving target. >> Yeah, I'll get you a more it
064won't be a final number, but I'll get you more a more exact number next time. >> Yeah. I just want to get an idea of like where we're at and what this would take us to, you know? Um, and I understand it's all estimates, but I mean, you're pretty good at math, you know, you're a pretty good budget guy, so I I trust your estimates. So, thank you, >> Melissa and Mark. >> Um, I had a couple of questions. Um, uh, first off, um, how many I noticed the picture up there and then I happen to have my neighbors, one of our bus drivers. Um, so when you how what's the number of staff that's in the office during the day? >> We have Go ahead, Sydney. >> So So there are five office staff
065and the head mechanic is in the building with us. >> So there's six members. We're looking at an office. >> Correct. >> Okay. Um because that was part of it too for the expenditure of this to make sure >> I she answered your that's a good question answer and but then when we think about pre-drive between drives after drive how many drivers do we have that use the facility? >> Uh there are roughly about 115 drivers that are in and out of the facility on a daily basis. >> Yeah. >> And they're in and out of the facility at least four times a day and some are in and out of this facility six times a day. >> Okay. So that's where we get that our restrooms. How many restrooms do we currently have? >>
066So, currently on site we have four. >> Okay. Um my next question was uh with the buses we talked about that this will we mentioned something about 14.8 to 17.4 million. What was that referring to in the presentation? >> That's the estimated estimated cost all in right. That's correct. That would be basically the concept that you see on the screen right now. That would be to do that. Remember that's just we're at concept phase. So, uh actual cost wouldn't be known until we would go out to bid. Uh so those are simply estimates at this point. And then I set this ahead of time and I know all of you for two and a half years have listened to me say this, but this is another situation where I feel like we're being presented with
067this um pretty close to a deadline that we weren't in the initial discussion on this. I think we just were notified about a month ago about it. Um wait and so one of the things I see us doing is I'd like to see that big picture. I'd like to see the needs assessment so we know when we do this before I vote on it. I want to I want the the numbers because part of what our job is is that we're to okay ultimately the money is our responsibility. So before we okay any agreements I would like to have firmer numbers. I'd also like to see contracts. Um yeah, so we know the scope, the cost, the r, you know, the rationale for spending that much money. Um the other thing that I'm somewhat conser
068concerned about because at the finance committee, one of the things I've heard a couple of times is and I don't want to argue this, I just have heard contradictory things. One of the things I've heard is that there are concerns moving forward with cuts on a national level or us picking up more services about the long-term our ability our finances. There were even discussions of cutting staff. Um >> Melissa, >> please talking about transportation facility. We are not >> if I'm going to spend that money, I need to know I'm not building this facility if I'm cutting services for students. We need to have the whole picture and that is within this discussion. >> The per go ahead answer a couple of questions. Um yeah, thank you for um the questions. Um you are correct
069in that it was in recent months that the board approved the temporary facility for us to move that out. um replacement of or modification, improvement or something in regard to the transportation facil facility has been identified as a project need for a number of years and that is something that we've talked about from from time to time. Um, and so the level of quote unquote urgency comes uh in that the facility continued to age and new problems began to emerge which caused us then to have to shut it down for the safety of our employees. And so that's what we've done. So this is not something that kind of came out of nowhere. Oh, let's do this, right? Uh the next thing is that we talk about services to kids. This is one of those
070services to kids that gets them to and from school safely. Uh and the only way that for some of our kids are able to do that. So I I would call that a very important part of services that we are providing. And as a reminder, when we think about kind of long-term costs, um this is um actually kind of a a shining example of use of fund balance because this is a one-time non-recurring expense that comes out of a fund balance. So, this isn't something that would have to go uh continue on and on. I think Mr. Front might have something additional to add to that. Um and I'll let him do that. Yeah, ju I mean I I guess just formally uh May 5th is when we brought the lease agreement to the board
071for the space that we'll actually um we'll actually get keys tomorrow uh for that new space for our our transportation team. Um and that's when we um discussed that that would give us the time to explore um options available to us that that was a temporary um sort of solution and that we'd be bringing back a recommendation uh to the board which is what what I believe we're doing tonight. >> Yeah. And then I would finally add to that in terms of looking at the districtwide as the the board is aware um you know we we are in the process of 10ear life health safety review uh facility assessment study uh as well as working on our annual capital plan uh and I believe the timeline is looking around October. We still about on that
072we'd come back to the board to talk a little bit more about uh the results of that and identify some long-term projects as a staff. um we we we have a list of internal things that we see as priorities that we may need to that we're holding on making decisions on um until all of that work's done. So that type of plan that that the board is asking for um you know will be based off of that information. So that has been something that the board did previously approve for example within that at some of our facilities uh the assessment includes the determination about its structural ability for solar if that's a consideration or something. So uh this has been a very thoughtful process. This is something that has been uh on uh on our
073radar for quite some time. Um and uh we have been pressed a little bit quicker into action. Um and and I think again thinking about uh the the work of our transportation department, both our drivers, mechanics, and the uh the leadership staff that's there, uh this is the right thing to do to to ensure that they have a safe uh comfortable working environment um for them. So >> Mark, >> yeah, thank you Charles. Um I have a question related to the policy itself 4.20. So it sounds like we look at the um the fund balance as of the end of the fiscal year. Do was there any discussions about including in that calculation any kind of uh forecast because I know we do a five-year forecast. I'm just wondering how how do we prevent ourselves
074from being in a situation where we're constantly um maybe drawing down the fund and then being in a situation where then we have to come back with how do we build it up again? Was there any conversation about that back when the policy was originally created and uh was there discussions around uh applying or implementing the forecast somehow into that calculation of what's available? Yeah, that forecast is important in in the overall look. We do the board does look at the forecast multiple times during the year and so that would have been part of a conversation about about the fund balance policy and how we set the limits between 10 and 20%. That would allow the board time to make operational budget adjustments if needed uh to to fall within that range. Uh it's a
075it's a big enough range so that if we ran a a a deficit, which we're we are projecting slight deficits. We have a budgeted deficit this year, >> but the board has always also been committed to doing the its best job to balance the budget knowing that it's going to live within its annual resources. And then this fun balance policy was really uh um generated or determined by if we have additional resources that have been built up over time like they had, how do we best use those? And that's how they came up with those criteria of nonrecurring expenses, taxpayer relief, etc. that was presented earlier tonight. So when I said where will we be on that fund balance policy, you know, what that percentage was and how much money it was. That's at the
076top end of that policy. And so we would still have some ability to make adjustments that the board I I don't agree. I knee-jerk reactions up and down is not the best thing for the the annual viability of a school district. But we do have some we do have enough leeway, leg room in there to to so that the board has enough foresight to make adjustments as they see coming down the road. >> And would we only have to um come up with a plan to uh increase the fund balance if we hit the 10% or lower >> that if we're below 10%? Yes. Obviously, we'd have to run a surplus to get back into that into that area. >> Okay. Thank you. Melissa, >> I have two more. Um, well, I'll do the easiest
077one is, uh, I happen to have a student at North and I live right by there. And one of the things I know is very hard that where this is located is right in a thorough fair that goes in to the downtown. So, it's a huge commuter because you're right there at the vioaduct for the train tracks and I know that we already north already suffers some from parents in say certain weather trying to get in and out of the school. So, we're adding this huge structure right there. Have we done a traffic study? Have we thought about how having all our buses at rush hour and school times all converging in that area? Either one. We're not increasing the number of routes, buses or drivers. It's simply um putting them in a different spot
078on within the footprint of where they already exist. So there would be no operational or logistical impact because there would be no no real change. >> Okay. Um and then as far as have we looked at um again I go back to the issue of looking at all our needs. One of the things I thought of Mr. Bridges that you said is you mentioned that this was a long time um goal. One of the things I think sometimes is happening um we had a lot of veteran people on the board and people have changed over. What I think sometimes might be happening is that discussions were had and you probably were given directives or there were communications and then as you said other things come up and then you put it back on where this
079might be a good opportunity to get together as a board and retalk you know those funds our budgeting and you know what are our big outlays where do we want that to go in the big picture so that we're not ever in a discussion where we're talking we know how much money we have and what our big projects are going to be because like you said, we knew that those trailers were going to wear out, but that we have that overall conversation about where we're allocating our funds. Um so that we're not stuck later if finances at the you know what we get from the federal or the state decreases or if the needs of our students dramatically increase that um we're allocating it towards what we feel the community wants that money to go
080towards because I myself like I said love it care about our transportation staff um but we also have to weigh that part of this is the big picture which is our job with the money of saying is this where we're going to put that money and how's that going to do look two years from now? >> Amanda, >> um I just want to respond. Um I think where you're coming from is what I hear you coming from is a place of like really making sure we're saving our resources for the students and staff based off of like a future that we're not quite sure about. Right. Right. in regards to like what resources might be coming from federal state, right? >> Well, that and then Mr. Bridg's comments about his concerns, right? >> And I
081think Mr. Francis, you were there and you talked there was a discussion about they expressed concerns about money coming up and and about, you know, staffing cuts, about a referendum about Yeah, let me just uh let me just continue on about like um >> without going into too much detail like um >> what and I we I'm sure we all have that same issue, right? Concern. Um the thing about this particular funding that I understand and correct me if I'm wrong Dan or Mike please is that this is kind of like um can't find the right word but it's like allocated money for a specific thing right you know so it it can't be allocated towards things like staffing shortages or anything like that because it that's a reoccurring cost. This is money that is
082set aside specifically for one-time costs of either reimbursing the community uh for taxes or for onetime capital costs. This this particular bucket that we're talking about tonight 420. >> Okay. Because I maybe differentiate this of this is the extra money that you're right. I maybe there's two things of giving back money to the community. >> Can you can you let Amanda finish her comments? I don't believe >> I was answering her question. Well, I No, I I was just I wanted to make sure I was clarifying with Dan and Mike because this is a specific bucket that can only spend on certain things. >> No, I don't think that's I I think that we can if I correct me if I'm wrong. My understanding is this is the money some extra money that we now
083are allocating that is not allocated. We can transfer the fund to wherever we want it. >> I don't think we can. >> Well, that'd be a great question. >> Yeah, that that is my question. Dan or Mike, could you please um clarify? >> I'll let Mr. Francis, take that. >> Yeah, the board could choose to use a fund balance for operational expenditures. >> Okay. So, it could >> you can run down a deficit with your fund. You can run down your fund balance by running deficits, operational deficits on an annual basis. That's one of the reasons that the school board adopted policy 420 to not do that. So that they if they had extra funds, they would use it for either taxpayer relief or one-time non-recurring expenses, not to balance the budget like is done
084in some other districts in the area. >> So I think we're both right, right? You know, so that so I think we just heard two different sides of that story, right? Um so thank you for the clarification. That's all. Thanks, >> Mark. >> Yeah, thank you, Charles. Uh just a quick question. is um as we develop this concept um are we ensuring that there's no disruption to the operations as we expand the parking space so that you know the students can get to school on time in the morning and get home in the afternoon at the right time or are there any uh changes that we have to think about to uh how much time is needed to do the route? Yeah, that um that will certainly be part of our process as we get
085into more design and then construction timeline, but just like putting an addition on Ranch View, we'll have to work through the logistics to make sure operations continue to run smoothly for Neapville North adjacent and connections across the street, but also for transportation across our district. So that will absolutely be a a major component of our of our planning once we have authorization. >> Melissa, >> you know, I had thought of this before. One of my questions is one of the things I always would like to see is like what were the options so you see the pros and cons. Um, one of the things that occurred to me with this is a significant investment and we also have that we still at a later date will address the innovative day experience which deals with busing.
086Have we ever looked at what it would cost us to to outsource our transportation so we at least know what we're comparing? Because I think some of the other big bigger districts do and that might save some of our issues if we're able to outsource it so it's not a physical number of buses. We don't have to upset the parents's and the teachers work schedules. We'd actually have those buses available. It would be nice to see that as an option. >> Here's what I'll say on on that. In in my time here, 14th year as superintendent, uh we have looked only at outsourcing and filling holes and gaps that we currently have when we when we don't have drivers. As you know, the board does outsource some of our special education transportation. I have no
087interest in giving up our self uh employed transportation department in any way. Um I I I cannot imagine there is enough of a cost differential whatsoever to give up the ability to work with Mr. Scales and the association uh and our drivers uh to ensure that they have um an amazing work environment. Let me give you an example. Um, this was a good handful of years back, maybe 10 years ago, less than 10 years ago, 2017 I think it was. I think we closed school a number of times uh due to cold weather. We closed a lot fewer than some of our neighboring districts who outsource because um we're able to make the decision when we do things to the fuel for example to ensure that it can endure the cold weather as opposed to
088moving out of the warm weather. Our drivers and mechanics did what they needed to do to and they their employees and the pride that they have. Um, you know, they are Neighborville 203 employees and they're committed to the mission of this district and ensuring that our kids uh are to and from school safely. Um, so um if it at the direction of the board um you know um but I I I highly would not recommend that. I I think um I I think we're in a better position. I don't know if Mike, Jack, you have anything that you would add to that. I I would just like to clarify that I'm not trying to get rid of jobs or our transportation. I don't think it's an all or nothing. You know, I don't know what
089I'm saying is one of the things that has been frustrating to be on the board is since I've been on the board, I have never received two options. I receive one option and I can say yes or no. Where in a case like this, I want to know what the price difference is. Do I see the advantage? I know that I heard a story about one of the bus drivers dresses up like Santa and like I've heard wonderful stories. I'm not saying that. But I think that as my job is due diligence, I need to be comparing and to say we're just simply not going to look into an option. It might not be an option, but at what point do we make sure we dot our eyes, cross our tees, and see what we're
090actually looking at >> as the board charges the administration, Mr. Kush with um the operational recommendations to bring to the board. That's what we've done. We're bringing you what we think is the best recommendation. Uh and we'll serve at the pleasure of the board. If the board dresses to go back and bring additional options, we're we're always happy to do that. Uh but um you know, we we believe that you you you you charge us with doing that. Uh we've done the the operational logistics and and we've looked into it, done the research, and believe this is the best option. Uh but if the board wants to give direction to us to do other options, obviously we'll have to respond to that. I'll look to hear from uh other board members. Melissa's already commented on
091that. Others want to comment on that as well. >> Joe, uh so this is not my area of expertise and and we have a number of uh people here from facilities and uh Mike and uh everybody who you know looks into these things. Um I this looks like a a good option. Um, you know, I I'm not expert enough to say that there are other good options. Um, but I uh I do um you know like this option. It uh supports the uh initiatives that we currently have. It supports our transportation department and it'll provide a nice coherent facility uh for that division. Christine, >> I'm I I was excited when I saw this. I mean, it has been a conversation we've had for quite some time. Um, even in recent uh memory. Um, it's
092it's it fits with what the board had wanted this whole fund balance to um address, you know, if we if we were in excess of the 20%. And so, you know, it's checking off things that we need operationally. It's checking off what the board's intentions, the spirit of the policy, if you will. Um, in terms of looking at outsourcing our our transportation department, I personally ha have no appetite for that now, nor have I had it in the past. um our drivers. I find something I don't I don't know if comforting is the right word, but District 203 does pretty much everything quite well. And that includes um how our kids get to and from school, activities, field trips, wherever we need to transport them. So, um, when I was a parent, there was comfort
093in knowing I could make one phone call and I could be put in touch with the right people immediately. Um, there was no trying to figure out which third party I had to contact and chasing down anything. I had one phone call to make and that was to the district and I would be helped out. And so, I um I I like this plan. I think it gives our drivers and our staff that's in the building, you know, all day a comfortable, safe environment that any of us want to go to when we go to work. And, you know, the idea that our drivers are just as in um interested in professional development and we could provide them space for that. Um, again, it's just it's checking a lot of boxes for me. I just
094want to add to that because anytime we think about transportation and this is kind of like a personal point, I go back to when I put my oldest child on the bus in kindergarten and having that connection with that bus driver, Mr. Mike Brennan, who is retired but always in my heart because I handed that tiny child off and knew that she would be safe. And on snowy days, icy days when that bus pulls up that they keep our kids safe. They keep them safe on I-55, taking you in through construction to a field trip with loud, rowdy junior high kids who don't smell that great. It's wonderful. Um, and just what they have and their working conditions and the turnaround time. Just thinking, you know, just the respect for their needs to have the
095amount of time they do in and out of that building, 115 people needing to line up and get into four bathrooms without a sink to get a drink of water. um just the basic respectful working conditions. This checks all those boxes for people near and dear to my heart who keep all of our children safe. And I think we all know statistics about safety on the roads. So that these are a professional staff um who care about 203 who care about our students. I think this is proposal exactly checks all of those boxes for keeping our students and staff safe and having respectful conditions for our um drivers. So I checks all the boxes for me. Thank you. >> So, if I could add on comments here. >> Um, >> so as I as I
096think about this and I'm going to echo a couple things a couple of people have already said, >> but um, you know, I think about a couple things. One, do we have a need here? I think the need has been very very well established over a long period of time. Um, the current the status quo cannot remain. We need to do something different. Um, in terms of looking at options like outsourcing, one, Superintendent Bridges has mentioned that that's been something that's looked at back in the past, but there's something to me about our employees interacting with our kids. I I don't think that that's something that that's easily replaced. Um, and there's a huge value to that. A couple of folks have already mentioned um the value of knowing who that driver is, knowing that
097one phone call you can make, knowing that that individual is a trusted individual. Um, and when you outsource, you you do not have those level of guarantees and that level of relationship. Um, and then the last thing I look at is we've established that there's a problem. We establish we need to do something about it. Um, all their alternatives have been thought about and um, again, I just gave my personal perspective on that. But I also look at the team we have in place to evaluate the different alternatives. And as Superintendent Bridges articulated, we we have very smart people on our team who are experts in this area. Um Cindy Leornne, you probably know the drivers better than anybody. Um and so understand the needs, understand what's happening, um and have that history. And so
098I am extremely confident that um that uh if we task the administration with solving this problem, which we have because they've identified it and uh that the solution that they're bringing forward is going to be the best and in the best interest of the district because I think that's where all of our interests are aligned. So for what it's worth, that's my two cents on the matter. Melissa. >> Um, first I just wanted to comment that I think I appreciate the debate or the exchange of ideas because I have to say I was thinking of it from a certain perspective, but as soon as Christine mentioned that one phone call that the parent can make and know where your kid is, that hit me. That hit me. And then so I thought, oh, what's that
099worth? So, and then we went to what you were saying and like I said, I I I've heard the stories about our bus drivers and they do play an important role. So, I have to say I appreciate that. I on a lot of projects I do I would in the future like these things know ahead of time that we have some discussion coming up that you know that we're all on the same page that this is what we're going to do with the funds at the end of the year. I'd like some other changes, but I have to say that when you come down to those that I I would agree that we wouldn't want to outsource it. >> So, it sounds like we have consensus that we're going forward with the or at least
100not looking at additional recommendations and then at the uh the next meeting which would be August August 4th meeting. Oh, thank you. There it is. um that uh we will then move this to discussion with action and at which time we'll vote on it. Okay. All right. >> Okay. >> Is this still on item number nine? >> Item number nine still. >> Yes. >> Oh, okay. >> With the with the transportation I I did you talk about a timeline? >> Yeah. >> Chuck, can you have broad sense of timeline? >> Yeah, we we did work backwards. So, of course, um having our facility ready for our drivers and our entire transportation department um in late July is really important to the operations of our district. So, working backwards from there, authorization on August 4th would
101allow us to go out to bid this fall, which would allow us to get construction going this winter and have that facility ready um by that date. It'll be tight, but that but we've worked with our our architects to to broadly work through that timeline. >> So within the year. Okay, that's just all I wanted. Sorry. >> That's good because I have one more question. >> Um so my my question along with that was one of the things that and I had mentioned this last open meeting. Is there a way that we can structure how we make this decision that it's not I don't like the blanket like we vote for this big blanket sum. We don't even is can we break this up into that we have more of the exact amount before we
102vote on the exact amount that we have the actual contract in front of us. >> There there really isn't because we don't control the final amount. Um we we send you the range of the estimate and then a lot of that work as required by law has to be competitively bid. So, we're telling you what we think based on other projects that are being done, similar projects, cost of labor, cost of materials. Right now, we think it it's going to cost this. Okay? And so, you have that range. But then when it goes out to bid, as you've seen through other bids, um some may come in lower, some may come in higher. As a reminder, uh those bids do have to come to the board for approval. So uh there is that fiduciary component
103that comes back to the board to ensure that you are seeing this and you are seeing the money and uh those total costs are known but this is this is a range uh that and sometimes it'll include contingency but this is our best estimate working with Healey Bender architects uh to get some research on other work that's done um like this and so that's how the range and that's why we can't say it's going to be Okay, seeing no additional hands. Um, okay. So, this will come back for uh discussion with action at the next meeting. All right. Um, item 10, discussion with action. We have no discussion with action. Item 11, old business. We have no old business. Item 12, new business. We have no new business. Item 13, upcoming events. >> Okay. >>
10413.01, 901 schedule events. >> Next board meeting is August 4th, 2025. Uh it's not on the calendar, but I'll make you aware of is the first day for students is August 14th, 2025. So we are approaching that time. >> Okay. Um so item 14 is adjournment. We will not be adjourning. Um so uh the board will be going back into close session. Only the one. >> Only the one. Oh, got it. Okay. Okay. Um, specific to the purchase of lease or real property for the use of the school board, including meetings held for the purpose of discussing whether a particular parcel should be acquired. So, at this point, I will entertain a motion to return to close session um for that purpose. Uh, and I want to ensure the commun board will take no action
105in close session, but will simply adjourn at the conclusion of our close session discussion. So I will take a motion now. I have a motion and a second. Motion and second have been heard. Please call the role. Miss Fner >> Winski >> I >> McMillan >> I >> Blastic >> I Kmenky >> I >> Girki >> I Kush I >> Kelly Black. Hi. Oh, >> the motion passes. We are now enclosed. Good night everyone.